Another mild drama also played out at the event, which had the likes of former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience Jonathan and the Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, and other top dignitaries in attendance. Just as the funeral service was about eto begin, Governor Wike and his entourage, which included ex-Governor Donald Duke and his wife, as well as other topshots left the event abruptly. Although no public reason was given for their sudden departure from the event, but trusted sources revealed that it was not unconnected to the absence of the widow of the late High Chief's state burial ceremonies. According to sources, the widow, who had a long drawn battle with Dumo, second son of the late Oil mogul stood her ground not to attend her husband's burial despite several attempts made by some influential persons. When it was learnt that she was still in London two days before the burial, the suspicion that she will shun the burial went high. We heard her grouse was that Dumo had hijacked the burial plans eventually.
Since Lulu-Briggs demise, controversies have surrounded his burial, including the long battle in courts in Ghana, where he died. After the burial dates were announced back in January, there had been gists that widow was not duly involved. She is yet to make a statement since then.
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| Mrs Seinye Lulu-Briggs and her late husband |
So during the ceremony in Rivers State over the weekend, there were reports of alleged takeover of the burial by heavy presence of private securitymen, as well an influx of dare-devil-looking youths prepared to shutout unwanted persons at the event. We however gathered that all these developments leading to the burial made many of the close friends and associates of the late billionaire stay away from the burial.
Despite the two years delay induced by protracted family litigations over his vast assets, Lulu-Briggs burial plan in 2021 without the involvement of his widow, Seinye Lulu-Briggs, had stirred serious controversy amongst his kinsmen as several Kalabari chiefs and concerned stakeholders had insisted that the deceased’s second Son, Chief Dumo allows his stepmother, Seinye to pay her last respects to her husband.
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| Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs and kinsmen at the burial |
He, however, according to reports also refused to implement the decisions agreed by a committee set up by the Amayanabo of Abonnema (based on a mandate by Governor Wike to bring the parties together to ensure a unified and dignified burial for one of Nigeria’s most admired statesmen) in the wake of public outrage at the exclusion by Dumo of his widow, Dr Mrs Seinye O. B. Lulu-Briggs and his siblings from the planning for their patriarch’s burial.
Special Assistant to General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Belemina Obunge officiated at the funeral service. In his sermon, he urged the congregation to always work on their integrity and inspire others to greatness in life.
At the event, Dumo thanked dignitaries that attended for coming to sympathise with his family as they laid their father to rest. He commended Governor Wike for giving his father a state burial. “It had not been easy for the sacrifice you all made to be here. Our father’s humble beginning to successful end should be an encouragement and inspiration to all who want to succeed. “I thank the former President Goodluck Jonathan, representative of the first lady and every other dignitary for honouring my father. My thanks also goes to His Excellency Nyesom Wike for deciding that he would give my father a befitting state burial” he said.
Dignitaries at the burial ceremony included Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo; former Governor of Rivers State, Sir Celestine Omehia, Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva; Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah, and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sir Austin Opara. Others are Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers State chapter, Ambassador Desmond Akawor; and Secretary to Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo.
His Majesty, King (Dr.) Dandeson Douglas Jaja JP, Jeki V, Amayanabo of Opobo Kingdom and Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers; Amayanabo of Abonnema, King Disrael Bob-Manuel; Chairman, Rivers Elders Council, High Chief Ferdinand Alabraba; and former Managing Directors of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaibe and Ms Joi Nunieh, were also at the event.